Nigerian Navy disrupts trans-border oil syndicate, apprehends suspects
In a significant operation aimed at curbing illegal oil-related activities, the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Beecroft, has successfully dismantled a trans-border oil syndicate operating in the vicinity of the Lagos Fair-Way Buoy.
The operation led to the arrest of a group of individuals suspected of engaging in petroleum product smuggling. All seven suspects apprehended in the operation are of Beninnois origin.
On August 27, 2023, the NNS Beecroft thwarted the activities of the syndicate as they were engaged in loading petroleum products from vessels in the Lagos Fair-Way Buoy’s corridor.
The operation resulted in the arrest of five primary suspects: Freme Adion, Onore Akwaso, Isegbeji Deni, Kosi Pascal, and Dao Sure.
These individuals, hailing from Benin Republic, were found aboard three fiber boats, each laden with hundreds of 200-litre drums and 50-liter jerricans.
The arrests were a direct outcome of vigilant monitoring through the Falcon Eye, a Maritime Awareness Facility, which detected the illicit activities.
Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the Commander of NNS Beecroft, provided insights into the operation at a press briefing held at the Base Parade ground in Apapa, Lagos.
He stated that the illicit activities of the syndicate posed a significant risk not only due to their illegality but also due to the potential for triggering fires that could endanger nearby vessels and create catastrophic incidents within the maritime environment.
Oguntuga emphasized that the Nigerian Navy remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring maritime security and safeguarding economic prosperity.
He pointed out that the responsibility of vessel owners extends beyond acquiring necessary documents to ensuring that their crew members do not engage in illegal activities that undermine the nation’s economic interests.
The Motor Tanker VIRGO 1, the vessel involved in the incident, had obtained documents authorizing the transportation of 15,000 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) to a facility in Ogara, Delta State.
The commander highlighted the need for vessel owners to establish stringent measures to prevent crew members from participating in illegal activities that can compromise the nation’s economic welfare.
Two of the apprehended suspects, Buga Noel and John Abel, both Beninnois residing in Lagos, explained that they had been instructed to tow a malfunctioning boat belonging to one of the suspects.
They were subsequently arrested upon reaching the location. Another suspect, Pascal, shared details of their journey from Cotonou, indicating that they reached the Fair-Way Buoy area after a four-hour voyage.
Pascal mentioned that he was tasked with transporting petroleum products from Cotonou to Lagos and was paid for his services.
